subject: Why Diesel Engines Are Not More Popular [print this page] When you go to buy a car these days, you have the choice between two engine types, gasoline and diesel. The vast majority of consumer cars are gasoline. So why is diesel not more popular? And what exactly is the difference between gasoline and diesel engines and fuel? There are some very interesting answers to these questions, and the truth may surprise you. So if you want to find out just why everyone is driving around in a gasoline fueled automobile these days, read on for a lesson that will interest you.
The Difference Between Two Fuels
The best place to start when getting to the bottom of this issue is the difference between gas and diesel fuels. Both are made from fossil fuels that are extracted from the earth as crude oil, or petroleum. Gasoline has a lower boiling point and requires more additives and refinement in order to make it into a suitable fuel. Diesel requires less refinement but must be boiled at higher temperatures. Overall, diesel is simpler to make, but more expensive. Another difference is that gasoline is a volatile fuel while diesel is non-volatile. This means that gasoline evaporates into fumes at room temperature and can be ignited by a flame or spark. Diesel cannot be ignited by a flame, and must be compressed until it ignites. On the plus side, it can also be stored for long periods of time without evaporating away or going bad.
The Difference in the Two Engines
So how does the difference between these two fuels translate into how the engine and the car it runs? The answer is that diesel fueled vehicles are louder, give off more fuel odor, have more towing power, get better gas mileage, and have fewer emissions. The maintenance is also more costly as the engines need to be finely tuned in order to run properly. While they require more exacting maintenance, the engines do last a lot longer than gasoline engines. Diesel engines also have trouble in cold weather, as the fuel tends to thicken, resulting in additives needing to be added to the fuel for proper functioning.
The Bottom LIne
So while diesel fuel does have many advantages, people just like the easier, quieter, and less smelly gasoline engines. How many times have you been stuck next to a loud truck in traffic and been annoyed at how loud the idle sound was? That is why people prefer gasoline models. While all of the problems of diesel engines have been solved with newer technology lately, the market has already spoken and gasoline has won the popular vote. Each do have their place, so one will never replace the other. If diesel can become more popular, the price may go down a bit as well.
So when you are out shopping for a car and wonder why it seems like you only have one real choice in engines, you will know why, it is because that is what the vast majority of consumers prefer. You can also find great Industrial Engines and Portable Generators online.
